It's Been a Long, Long Time.......

Hello To Anyone Who May Still be Wandering in the Wilderness Over Here......


Yeah, I am still here. I just simply have not had a blogging urge or inspiration so I did not waste my time nor yours......

Aren't you just tickled pink that I am putting word to blog now?!
Yeah, that's what I thought. Ha....bear with me.

Christmas has come and gone. It is done for a year and.......yay.
I simply had so little spirit, except when I was in Arkansas with my family. I did not even put a tree up this year...first time in my life. But, NO ONE was going to see it but me - and the cat - and all he wants to do is climb it...so I just said 'bah humbug' and left it boxed up. I did throw up a few garlands and lights on the porch so I would not look like the local grinch. woo hoo....

I enjoyed being with my Baby Girl and my sister's family. Meeting my new great niece and great-great nephew was wonderful! They are 7 weeks and 11 weeks respectively and tell me, is anything sweeter than a baby at Christmas? Oh, I loved bonding with sweet little Tessa Rae! I did not get to spend nearly enough time with little Jagur however.
I also got to meet my great nephew's new bride, the mommy, and my other nephew's sweetheart.....wedding bells soon??
All in all, I go to meet 4 new family members and it was a blessing! It makes me hate living here even more, if that is possible.

I have not seen Feller since before Thanksgiving and that is TOO long! He is coming home the first week of January as he is in Florida visiting his folks this week. He needed to go and I am glad he went.
We will have a late Christmas with each other when he comes home......and we will watch the National Football Championship together and it will be GOOD! Go Gators!

My trip back here after Christmas was horrible.....with a capitol H. I got a late start since I had a touch of the GI bug that was going around my family. Nothing like an 800 mile, 13 hour, drive alone with a stomach virus. It was after midnight when I got home and I can hardly remember the last 100 miles from Lexington. That is NOT a good thing! I am still trying to get well and now have a sore throat. I spend so much time alone, I apparently have NO immunities and was with 20 family members! Oh, and I also got a speeding ticket. great. I never get tickets so it really ticked me off but what can you do? It was a fat, older, white State Trooper chick....she was on such a power trip, I just bit my tongue and signed the damn thing. She looked like she should have been rocking babies and baking cookies, not hiding in the bushes, waiting to hit me for going 70!! On a highway...straight, dry, and clear....sheesh!! Maybe she got an end-of-year bonus....who knows?

Still, it was SO nice to be back home....I miss my family and friends SO much! It seems all I have encountered living here fall in to this category:

http://suburbanturmoil.blogspot.com/2006/05/shitty-friend-syndrome.html

I am quite weary of their "games" but I am just trying to not think of it and let them continue on their merry way. However, seeing old faces back home and catching up reminded me how much I miss my pals and how sad it makes me to only have met SF's here. One on every corner, so it seems. But, I have sweet, dear friends back home and so I know they DO exist....just not any I have met living with these backwoods hillbillies. Do I sound bitter? Yeah, that's what I thought....but it IS my blog and this is how I feel. I just miss my friends, the ones who know me and still love me, and laugh with me and don't compete with me and don't act like they are the only part of the equation that matters.

I am now gearing up to work hard the rest of the winter, get the rest of this stuff out of my home and start spending more time looking for another house. I love our home and it is really nice but it's big and lonely and too much for me to tend to alone. I am ready to be with the human race again. Feller worries about me but he knows I am pretty independent and can take care of myself.....I am just tired of having to do it. He feels a bit guilty because he has to be living and working in NC. He wishes I had a gal pal to ease the isolation but he also knows how THAT has gone in the past so he just lets it go. He tried to warn me....I just did not listen.
Ah well....his judge of character is much more practical and less trusting than mine.
But, trust me....I know NOW!

Oh well, enough of THAT. She is so not worth it....for real.

End of year thoughts:

1. I am happy my daughter is turning into a lovely young woman, about to graduate from Emory University in Atlanta. (HIRE her, please!) And she is learning to cook! Now THAT'S major! She watches the Food Network, cooks for her roomies, and collects recipes from me and my sis. And she is hostess for an Italian Restaurant. And she weighs 110. Not fair, I scream, NOT fair!

2. I worry about my sister and how she and her hubs will manage while he still recovers from his broken leg and ankle and is off work. Lots of hard praying here.....

3. I miss my Feller but admire the work he does. We get along better when we are apart....that's all we've ever known. (just kidding here)

4. My heart still aches for my sweet Patches. I miss my dog.....very, very much.

5. I love my cat, Koko, and he does his best to love me back. But he gets hair all over me.....and my house.

6. I am ready for the next chapter, whatever that might be. Me, the one who hates change, I'm SO ready to move on. Northeast KY has lost its appeal, what little it ever had. Same old complaint- the folks here are clannish and stuck up and just *wierd*. Those who have the least to gloat over act the most greedy, superior and haughty. Save it, sister. I ain't impressed....never was.

7. Getting old has its perks...I would not have openly bitched about any of this ten years ago. But, I also had migraines, an ulcer and an eating disorder ten years ago. Now, I am just fat and sassy and honest.....ha! :-)

8. I miss my Mom...a lot. But I have missed her for a long, long time, even before she died.
Alzheimers is an evil, hateful disease and I hope I die of ANYTHING else but that.

9. Faith and prayer can get you through anything but there are days it is harder to find....and I remind myself, "If God feels far away, who moved?" Hum?

10. A new year, new opportunities, new lessons to be learned, new mistakes to be made, new horizons to explore......come on, 2007! I am ready for you!



Let's roll!

(holiday pics will come soon....I have not felt like uploading and editing them)

Woo Pig Sooiiee! Go Razorbacks!

Razorbacks have a 9-1 start including a perfect 6-0 record in Southeastern Conference play. The Hogs’ 6-0 start in the SEC is the best in school history and the longest conference winning streak to start a season since Arkansas won all seven of its games in the Southwest Conference in 1988. They are currently ranked 5th in the nation and are expected to finish undefeated in their regular season play. If all plays out as I predict, the Hogs will more than likely face the Fla. Gators for the title game. If that happens, it will be a good thing the Feller is in another state. We love and support each other all year long but HE is a Gator and I am a Hog.

Yes, I admit it.......I am a pig.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SIS!

Today is my big sister's birthday.
"Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you! Happy Birthday, you old Far-Art! Happy Birthday to you!"

I sent her a nice card and gift earlier this week but I have not spoken to her today...however, she knows I love her.

She has been at the hospital today with her hubby who had a bad accident a few weeks ago. He had to have more tests and "icky guy stuff". (According to my Feller, it is God's way of balancing out womens' female miseries....just as most of us gals are settling into "The Change" with some modicum of acceptance, a lot of our men get a big fat prostate and faulty plumbing and all-that-stuff.....I am still waiting on them to pass a cantelope out of their nether regions...and then we will be even)

Anyway, I will talk to her tomorrow and graciously remind her that she is HOW much older than me....and we will laugh cause that is just how we are.

I get to see her in about a week and a half and I.cannot.wait.

Love you, Sissy....truly I do.

*DISCLAIMER: I love men, but they are fun to pick at!

Masculine Maladies...

One day my housework-challenged husband decided to wash his sweatshirt. Seconds after he stepped into the laundry room, he shouted to me, "What setting do I use on the washing machine?"

"It depends," I replied. "What does it say on your shirt?"

He yelled back, "University of Oklahoma."

And they say blondes are dumb...


* * *

A couple is lying in bed.

The man says, "I am going to make you the happiest woman in the world."
The woman replies, "I'll miss you..."

* * *


"It's just too hot to wear clothes today," Jack says as he stepped out of the shower, "Honey, what do you think the neighbors would think if I mowed the lawn like this?"

"Probably that I married you for your money," she replied.

* * *

Q: What do you call an intelligent, good looking, sensitive man?
A: A rumor

* * *


A man and his wife, now in their 60's, were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. On their special day a good fairy came to them and said that because they had been so good that each one of them could have one wish.

The wife wished for a trip around the world with her husband.

Whoosh! Immediately she had airline/cruise tickets in her hands.

The man wished for a female companion 30 years younger...

Whoosh...immediately he turned ninety!!!

Gotta love that fairy!

* * *


Dear Lord,

I pray for Wisdom to understand my man; Love to forgive him; And Patience for his moods. Because, Lord, if I pray for Strength, I'll beat him to death.

AMEN

* * *


Q: Why do little boys whine?
A: They are practicing to be men.

* * *


Q: What do you call a handcuffed man?
A: Trustworthy.

* * *


Q: What does it mean when a man is in your bed gasping for breath and calling your name?
A: You did not hold the pillow down long enough.

* * *


Q: Why do men whistle when they are sitting on the toilet?
A: It helps them remember which end they need to wipe.

* * *


Q: How do you keep your husband from reading your e-mail?
A: Rename the mail folder "Instruction Manuals"


* * *


Ok, Ok,......I am NOT man-bashing, just having a little fun. Ya' gotta' admit, some of them are just TOO funny!
Happy TGIF!
(and don't forget to hug your guy today!)

Where've You Been?

create your own visited states map


Here's a fun little linkie thingie....just select each state you've been to and get a cool little map with your states in red (I would have preferred pink, thank you)......like this.

I think I need to branch out a bit.....I seem to have been avoiding the west coast...and the ones at the top. Bottom heavy, just like me.

I also seem to favor the southern states.......which makes sense - since I AM a "GRITS".
{Girl Raised In The South}
;-)



create your own visited countries map


Here's one for visited countries. Sadly, my passport has not seen that much action.


*ahem*
No, I have not updated in several days and no, I do not have anything profound to offer.
Some days, I simply cannot do more than read others' blogs and wonder how and where they find the time and inspiration to post such entertaining and insightful posts.
I have a lot of utterly delightful thoughts and stories and poems and monologues skittering through my brain......but putting them into written word is just so much work...
I think it is because I spend SO much time entering written words for "WORK"....that nasty four letter word.
Yes, I am the hardest boss I have ever worked for. Ever.

My Celebrity Look-Alikes (or ARE-YOU-KIDDING?!)

Okay, I can hang with Madonna, Heather, Sally, Shakira (wish I could shake like that!)....in fact, Madonna came up on every picture I tried......but I have not adopted any kiddos so the resemblance stops there.

That Benita chick just scares me! *eww* Can we say Harsh?!

Michelle Kwan?? Hum, I LIVE with an Asian, but I sure don't LOOK like one.

Was surprised Elizabeth Montgomery, Samantha on "Bewtiched", did not pop up as I have heard my whole life that I look like her....go figure.

I tried a few of my daughter's just for fun. She and I both got a Susan Lucci hit so I guess that means she is indeed my "mini-me" as we have heard her whole life.......poor child.

(We are both green-hazel eyed blondes, average size, not tiny, not big....how did we get a dark, teeny boned chick like Erica?!)

The strangest hit was Gary Sinise.....now I know for sure.

I would make one fugly guy.......

How Girly Are You?

You Are 60% Girly

You're a little girly, a little boyish, and probably a whole lot indie. You have your own unique style, and it pretty much defies gender lines.

How Girly Are You?

Pretty accurate.....next?

Ummm....My Pamper Me Snack!

It is a dreary, rainy, cold day..........and I knew just the pick-me-up I needed.
No, it is not diet-friendly but it sure was yummy!
A slice of moist Amaretta Liqueur cake with a dollop of Italian Fig "Casa Giulia" jam (slightly warmed) and a steaming cup of Pumpkin Spice coffee........yes, a BIG mix of flavors but JUST what I was craving.

What's YOUR favorite "make-me-cozy", *sinful* snack?

WFMW Thanksgiving HELP Site

Even though I will be traveling to see my family in Arkansas during Thanksgiving, I just LOVE this site! I know there are a lot of "help" sites available but this one covers all the bases from deep frying a turkey to decorating for the season. There are a lot of cool links and has a little bit of everything.
Just clicking through it gets me in the mood for some cranberry sauce, mulled cider and cornbread dressing!


http://www.arcamax.com/recipes/s-127435-321049

PUMPKIN HOUSE to be on the "Ellen DeGeneres" Show

Just thought I would share that an attraction located a few minutes from my home is going to be on the "Ellen DeGeneres" show this coming Monday. The crew just showed up unannounced this past week and filmed a segment to be aired the day before Halloween.

There is a Victorian home located in Kenova, W VA and each year, they carve and then display over 3500 pumpkins on the house, in the yard, on specially built walls (2 stories high!), around the trees, along the street...everywhere they can find a space. We have been the last two years and it is rather amazing to see all the work that goes into this....all for fun, no profit.

Each pumpkin is carved from a pattern drawn and collected by the man of the house. School groups, churchs, businesses, etc. all volunteer to carve. Every single pumpkin is lit with an electic bulb. I will tell you that if you wait until the day or so after Halloween as we did the first time we went, it begins to get a little smelly from the mushy pumpkins. *eww*

Last year, we went the night before Halloween and they were all still pretty fresh and he had added a lot to the display.

Anyway, if you want to see a pretty neat seasonal display, tune into the "Ellen" show Monday.
Here are a few pics I took last year:







~That's me, ordering a "Pumpkin Pop"....

Girls' Night Out (or "The Sort of Stuff My College Daughter Sends to Me"!)

(Have I ever mentioned that my daughter is a nut who has a VERY dry sense of humor and is more like my peer than my child........?)


"Girls night out"
---WHY WOMEN SHOULD AVOID A GIRLS NIGHT OUT AFTER THEY'RE MARRIED!

The other night I was invited out for a night with "the girls." I told my husband that I would be home by midnight , "I promise!" Well, the hours passed and the margaritas went down WAY too easy. Around 3 a.m. and quite a bit drunk, I headed for home. Just as I got in the door, the cuckoo clock in the hall started up and cuckooed 3 times. Quickly, realizing my husband would probably wake up, I cuckooed another 9 times. I was really proud of myself for coming up with such a quick-witted solution in order to escape a possible conflict with him. (Even when totally smashed)...3 cuckoos plus 9 cuckoos totals 12 cuckoos = MIDNIGHT. The next morning my husband asked me what time I got in, and I told him "Midnight!". He didn't seem pissed off at all. Got away with that one! Then he said, "We need a new cuckoo clock." When I asked him why?, he said, "Well, last night our clock cuckooed three times, then said, "Oh shit.", cuckooed 4 more times, cleared it's throat, cuckooed another 3 times, giggled, cuckooed twice more, and then tripped over the coffee table and farted."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Okay, this not profound or moving or inspiring..........but, it IS funny!
It also sounds like something I would have done a few years ago. I am more grown up now....I would not throw a decoy cuckoo! :D

I am trying hard to get back into a "groove" after a much-too-short visit from Feller. We had a good time: got some chores done, took a day date, had a nice lunch out, did some frivolous shopping, hit our favorite flea market (in the rain!), ate supper in bed while watching TV (are we the only weirdos who DO that?!) and then had to part again way too soon.
He has the ability to drive me batty and get on my last nerve but he also is able to make me laugh (at him!) and he takes care of me and reassures me and always has my best interests at heart. He is an excellent provider and partner......and he is in another state for three more weeks.
I find myself so blue for the first few hours after he leaves and then I get okay and actually enjoy my "me" time.....for a while.
Like he said to me, I will miss him now and then be ready for him to hit the road next month after he has been here for 2 or 3 days.
He knows me too well............

p.s. The leaves did not "hold" very well....I missed having our annual boating on the lake to Leaf-Peep.....but it was too dang cold and most of the color had fallen off......oh well........there is always next year. *sigh*

$20.00

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by

holding up a $20.00 bill. In the room of 200, he asked,

"Who would like this $20 bill?"

Hands started going up.

He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you

but first, let me do this.

He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill.

He then asked, "Who still wants it?"

Still the hands were up in the air.

Well, he replied, "What if I do this?"

And he dropped it on the ground

and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe.

He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty.

"Now, who still wants it?"

Still the hands went into the air.

My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson.

No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it

because it did not decrease in value.

It was still worth $20.

Many times in our lives,

we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt

by the decisions we make and

the circumstances that come our way.

We feel as though we are worthless.

But no matter what has happened or

what will happen, you will never lose your value.

Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased,

you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you.

The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know,

but by WHO WE ARE and WHOSE WE ARE.

You are special- Don't EVER forget it."



Count your blessings, not your problems.

"And remember: amateurs built the ark ..

professionals built the Titanic.

If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it.

~copied

An.....ti......ci......pa......tion!

Feller's coming home!

Sorta'..........

He is headed home next Tuesday and will go back to NC Thursday......
It's a good thing.......I am almost getting used to him being gone.......

I'm just saying........

But hey, at least I get 2 1/2 days, right? Hopefully we will have a little time to go leaf peeping at the lake near here like we did last year.....HOPEFULLY. The leaves are simply gorgeous in these Kentucky hills! (insert short prayer: Dear God, If it is within Your will, please let the pretty leaves hang on until he gets here! Amen)


So, with that said, I may not be here much. I have been working my tail off on my ebay postings...(go look, LOTS of yummy vintage Christmas goodies and such - buy my stuff and let it come live with you instead of me) :-)
....and I REALLY have to get the house in order. Not that he cares...he tends to be a slob anyway, but "I" care and I "WILL" get the house yummy clean and smelling like cinnamon and apples and all things "autumn-y".

'Till later............be blessed!

Be Prepared

A young man applied for a job as a farmhand. When the farmer asked for his qualifications, he said, "I can sleep when the wind blows."

This puzzled the farmer. But he liked the young man, and hired him.

A few days later, the farmer and his wife were awakened in the night by a violent storm. They quickly began to check things out to see if all was secure. They found that the shutters of the farmhouse had been securely fastened. A good supply of logs had been set next to the fireplace.

The young man slept soundly.

The farmer and his wife then inspected their property. They found that the farm tools had been placed in the storage shed, safe from the elements.

The tractor had been moved into the garage. The barn was properly locked. Even the animals were calm. All was well.

The farmer then understood the meaning of the young man's words, "I can sleep when the wind blows."

Because the farmhand did his work loyally and faithfully when the skies were clear, he was prepared for the storm when it broke. So when the wind blew, he was not afraid. He could sleep in peace.

~copied
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If we can catch up in our lives with all of the things we are behind in, and prepare properly for things, then we will really learn to understand what sound sleep really is.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am hoping for a good night's sleep some day (or night!).................

Today's Funny......

I HAD forgotten to get my estrogen-patch prescription re-filled, and soon the symptoms of menopause-hot flashes, forgetfulness, irritability-returned. At the drugstore, I found myself telling the pharmacist all about my problems. After listening patiently, he asked, "So, how many people asked you to get this refilled?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Have a good day......it is only Monday for 24 hours!! :-D

Prayers please.......

I truly do believe in the power of prayer.........and I respectfully solicit it in His name.

My sister and her family live in Arkansas where I lived until 3 years ago. We are all very close and she is like my surrogate mom. She's my last blood family except for an uncle.
They have had a tough time. My sis is disabled from chronic systemic lupus and my BIL has suffered a broken back and three back surgeries...all work related...and then they fired him. Too big an insurance risk.
They are struggling to get back on their feet after bankruptcy and today, my sis called to tell me my sweet BIL had fallen only three rungs down a ladder where he was working on his deer stand in preparation for adding meat to their winter food stores.

The ladder went one way and he went the other...not very high at all...but the rung acted as a lever and he suffered a compound fracture of both leg bones in his right leg and shattered his ankle. Both bones came through his sock.....
He has just gone into recovery (in a hospital 50 miles from their home) after almost four hours of orthopedic surgery. He will be in a cast for 6-8 weeks to let the pins, plates, and bones heal. Then, he will be on crutches for 6 months to let the bones regraft. Ankles are hard to repair....so many little bones.
How they will survive financially is beyond comprehension as he will not be able to work and he has been off almost three years due to his back.
My heart is heavy and I feel their burdens.
We all help as much as we can but we need a spiritual intervention for strength, healing, and courage.
I struggled with the decision but, I am not going there right now. It is a 13 hour drive and my Feller is in another state as well. I want more than anything to be there with my family......
I made the difficult decision to stay here for now and work as hard as I can with my ebay business so that I might be able to better help them monetarily. I already contribute as I can but the need has been magnified and will be for a long time.
Please pray for them - for strength, healing, and peace, and for me to stay well myself and have strength, fortitude, and good business so that I might help to provide for my loved ones. You won't find better, sweeter, more Christ-like folks anywhere than they are.
My heart is heavy and sad and I need a hug.....but I have yet another week or so before I can get one..........
Thank you and blessings to all.

Ripple Effect

Consider how much one small action, one little word, can grow a life of its own and reach out to touch so many. Positive or negative...it is our choice.

Did you smile at the grocery checker today or complain at how slow the line was? Did you nod at your mailman or meet the UPS delivery guy with a pleasant thank you or were your rushed and short and haggard and impatient? Did you let a car out ahead of you in traffic or inch forward to protect your territorial space?
For every smile you give, for every courtesy extended, for every pleasant act of graciousness - you have the chance to touch a heart or melt a coldness or cheer a lonely spirit......and every grumble has the potential to ruin another's day.

Chances are, your one small act will ripple out in an ever widening circle until it finds its way back to you......be careful which one you choose.

(Photo was taken last fall at a little lake near our house. I probably won't get to see the leaves change there this year as Feller is gone and I cannot pull the boat with my car.)

Kitty Litter Cake

Okay, I will be the first to admit.....this is more than a little gross!
A friend sent this to me and I just had to share.
With Halloween just around the corner, maybe one of you brave and daring souls would have the guts to try it.

It is wayyyyy out there but you would sure win the "Most Original" dessert prize!

Read on but do not peek at the picture until you have read the recipe, 'kay?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~*Kitty Litter Cake"*~
This is *no joke*
READ THE INGREDIENTS AND STUFF FIRST AND THEN LOOK AT THE PHOTO...

TRUST ME...

DON'T LOOK AT THE PHOTO FIRST, BUT LAST...


This is for all you cooks out there looking for something a little
different.........

WANT TO HAVE FUN AT A PARTY? PREPARE THIS RECIPE! COMPLETELY EDIBLE,
BUT YOUR FRIENDS MAY NOT THINK SO!


"On a recent visit to our veterinarian to get shots for our cat I found
this recipe on the waiting room bulletin board. After recovering from
hysterical laughter, I obtained a copy from the office staff so that my
wife could make it, which she refused to do. I took it to work and gave
the recipe to a lady at work who loves cats. The pictures below show
the results of her work. It doesn't look very nice, but it's actually
quite tasty, so I decided to pass it along."

CAKE INGREDIENTS:
1 box spice or German chocolate cake mix
1 box of white cake mix
1 package white sandwich cookies
1 large package vanilla instant pudding mix
A few drops green food
coloring
12 small Tootsie Rolls or equivalent

SERVING "DISHES AND UTENSILS"
1 NEW cat-litter box
1 NEW cat-litter box liner
1 NEW pooper scooper

1) Prepare and bake cake mixes, according to directions, in any sizepan. Prepare pudding and chill. Crumble cookies in small batches in
blender or food processor. Add a few drops of green food coloring to 1
cup of cookie crumbs. Mix with a fork or shake in a jar. Set aside.

2) When cakes are at room temperature, crumble them into a large bowl.
Toss with half of the remaining cookie crumbs and enough pudding to
make the mixture moist but not soggy. Place liner in litter box and
pour in mixture.
3) Unwrap 3 Tootsie Rolls and heat in a microwave until soft and
>pliable. Shape the blunt ends into slightly curved point s. Repeat with
three more rolls. Bury the rolls decoratively in the cake mixture.
Sprinkle remaining white cookie crumbs over the mixture, then scatter
green crumbs lightly over top.

4) Heat 5 more Tootsie Rolls until almost melted. Scrape them on top of
the cake and sprinkle with crumbs from the litter box. Heat the
remaining Tootsie Roll until pliable and hang it over the edge of the
box. Place box on a sheet of newspaper and serve with scooper. Enjoy!


"Kitty Litter Cake"



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You were warned! :o)

WFMW Christmas Boxes

It may be a little late for this tip this year but I wanted to share it anyway.
I keep "Christmas Boxes"...by that, I mean I keep designated boxes in an accessible area and I add items to them all year, starting as soon as I put away the current year's Christmas stuff. I also add generic baby or wedding gift ideas.
When I see neat stuff on sale or find NEW items at a yard sale or wherever, I put them in my box(es). It is amazing how fast they fill up!
My family always looks forward to my presents since they get a variety of really nice gifts and they are geared to what the recepient will use or enjoy.
I am the one who gets the biggest kick out of since by the time I start sorting them (around Thanksgiving), I am always surprised to see what I have stashed throughout the year. By doing this in November, I have time to shop for completers or extras.
I started this tradition as a single mom when money was very tight and this was the only way I could give to my Loved Ones. It is sort of like a home lay-away!
Do you realize how CLOSE Christmas is getting? Yikes!

Of the Devil.......

......that's what machines are.


I have had blog issues today. Thanks to novaks8~firelfies and frogs~ for setting me on a corrective course.
I hope I have it fixed (can't know for sure since it looked fine to me anyway). THANK YOU!

But.......the biggest headache was that DSL was out Tuesday day and night. Of course, that meant NO work and I have SO much to do! I am getting ready to list lots of sweet vintage Christmas items and, well, I got an unexpected respite but of course, that means I just have to work twice as hard in the next day or so.

Anyway......not feeling very insightful or funny or anything except tired and frustrated and aggravated.......did not help me *one little bit* the Feller was *testy* when I called him out of desperation and he more or less called me a "Drama Queen".

Huney, I CAN show you some drama!!!

Ah........methinks I just need to go to bed. :-)

GRRRR!

It seems my blog posts are not showing up for some reason. I know this must be true as Corey was kind enough to write me and tell me all she could see is my header and sidebar....however, "I" Can see all of it.

I checked my stats and see that all visitors today have 0:00 stays ....so they must not be seeing my posts either. I am not a blogging expert and the "help" section is sorely lacking.

Sooooo.....I may just be floating out there in virtual space with no life line.


help.

(of course, this is a futile cry if no one can see me......) :-( *sniff*

Numbers.....

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When I graduated High School, I was a muscular, lean-mean 117.......

After college - in my 20's, I was a fit and fine 120...............

After having Baby Girl - in my 30's, I settled into a comfy 130..........

After "The Divorce" - in my 40's (when I plummeted to a boney 110 - you know, The Divorce Diet?), I fluffed back up to a firm 140.......

I had "The Big Birthday" - 50, this past summer......you do the math........

Does this mean I may eventually live to be 200??!!

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Putting the pieces together....

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There was a man who had a little boy that he loved very much. Everyday after work the man would come home and play with the little boy. He would always spend all of his extra time playing with the little boy.

One night, while the man was at work, he realized that he had extra work to do for the evening, and that he wouldn't be able to play with his little boy. But, he wanted to be able to give the boy something to keep him busy. So, looking around his office, he saw a magazine with a large map of the world on the cover. He got an idea. He removed the map, and then patiently tore it up into small pieces. Then he put all the pieces in his coat pocket.

When he got home, the little boy came running to him and was ready to play. The man explained that he had extra work to do and couldn't play just now, but he led the little boy into the dining room, and taking out all the pieces of the map, he spread them on the table. He explained that it was a map of the world, and that by the time he could put it back together, his extra work would be finished, and they could both play. Surely this would keep the child busy for hours, he thought.

About half an hour later the boy came to the man and said, "Okay, it's finished. Can we play now?"

The man was surprised, saying, "That's impossible. Let's go see." And sure enough, there was the picture of the world, all put together, every piece in its place.

The man said, "That's amazing! How did you do that?" The boy said, "It was simple. On the back of the page was a picture of a man. When I put the man together the whole world fell into place."
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There are many potential lessons in this piece. I am asking you to leave a comment of what you think this story means.
Should be interesting to see what the pieces mean to you....

Five and Dime......

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When young F. W. Woolworth was a store clerk, he tried to convince his boss to have a ten-cent sale to reduce inventory.

The boss agreed, and the idea was a resounding success. This inspired Woolworth to open his own store and price items at a nickel and a dime. He needed capital for such a venture, so he asked his boss to supply the capital for part interest in the store.

His boss turned him down flat. "The idea is too risky," he told Woolworth. "There are not enough items to sell for five and ten cents." Woolworth went ahead without his boss's backing, and he not only was successful in his first store, but eventually he owned a chain of F. W. Woolworth stores across the nation.

Later, his former boss was heard to remark, "As far as I can figure out, every word I used to turn Woolworth down cost me about a million dollars."
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The greatest risk in life is not taking any risks at all. In life, people rarely regret when they tried, but didn't succeed. They regret when they never tried at all.

What will YOU try this week?

Have You Ever......

My first MeMe, from Ink on my Fingers...

(NO details provided due to the sensitive nature of some of the queries.) :D

Have you ever:

1. Taken a picture completely naked? NO
2. Danced in front of a mirror naked? YES
3. Told a lie? YES
4. Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back? YES
5. Been arrested? NO
6. Seen someone die? YES
7. Kissed a picture? YES
8. Slept in until 5pm? YES
9. Had sex at work (on the clock)? YES
10. Fallen asleep at work/school? YES
11. Held a snake? YES
12. Ran a red light? YES
13. Been suspended from school? NO
14. Pole danced? NO
15. Been fired from a job? YES
16. Sang karaoke? NO
17. Done something you told yourself you wouldn't? YES
18. Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? YES
19. Laughed until you peed? YES
20. Caught a snowflake on your tongue? YES
21. Kissed in the rain? YES
22. Had sex in the rain? NO
23. Sang in the shower? YES
24. Gave your private parts a nickname? YES
25. Ever gone to school/work without underwear? NO
26. Sat on a roof top? YES
27. Played chicken? YES
28. Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on? YES
29. Broken a bone? YES
30. Flashed someone? NO
31. Mooned someone? NO
32. Shaved your head? NO
33. Slept naked? YES
34. Blacked out from drinking? YES
35. Played a prank on someone? YES
36. Had a gym membership? YES
37. Felt like killing someone? YES
38. Cried over someone you were in love with? YES
39. Had Mexican jumping beans for pets? YES
40. Been in a band? NO
41. Shot a gun? YES
42. Shot a bow and arrow? YES
43. Played strip poker? YES
44. Donated Blood? YES
45. Ever jump out of an airplane? NO
46. Been to more than 10 countries? NO


Okay, who's next?!

FOOTBALL!

Wow.......I LOVE college football!

It is so funny...my daughter is the quintessential girly-girl, blonde, cheerleader, beauty queen gal. She was captain of the cheerleading squad in high school and two of her best guy friends went to UT on full football scholarships. Her junior and senior year of high school, our team was State Champions.
(Go Mighty Fightin' Warren Lumberjacks!)
In 7 years, I don't think I missed a single high school football game....even when it was 18 degrees, sleeting, and the game was 5 hours from home!

Today, SHE called ME to remind me to switch the TV over to the Arkansas Razorback game.



She just called me again on her way to work to rehash and celebrate their victory over Auburn.....Woo Pig Sooiiee! We differ on who we want to win between Florida and LSU. Of course, since Feller is a born and raised Gator, I am pulling for FLA.




Baby Girl is still bitter over FLA's win over UT Tennessee so she wants LSU to win. She's ticked that UT is playing GA in GA today and all of her friends are going and she has to work.



It is a hoot talking football with my daughter! Gotta' love it! (Too ironic she chose to go to college where they have NO football team!)

My Feller loves that he has a football freak girlfriend. He bugged me several times by phone while the Hogs were playing. Should I now call and bug HIM while the Gators are playing? Nah....

Okay, back to work and the game and hope YOUR team is winning today too! (unless they are playing against one of mine!) ;-)

79 DAYS?!

Yes, it is 2:00 a.m. and I am still wide awake.

So.much.on.my.mind.and.heart.....sort of lonely.
No, correction......major lonely.
It has been a week since Feller left and even though I have been SO busy.....I am alone and I miss him.
And my daughter.....and my sister.
I have not seen my sister since last Christmas and that is absolutely the LONGEST I have ever gone without seeing her in my whole life. Since we have no parents, we are each other's blood family....we are all we have left.
She is my heart, my best friend, and my safe harbor.....and she is 13 hours away.*sigh*

Anyway, I was doing what I usually do when I have insomnia....reading my favorite blogs.

Thanks to Ms. Robyn, I realized that Christmas is only 79 days away! Or is it 78 or 80? I am too lazy to count them and Robyn is down under.....so is she ahead or am I behind? Hummmm?

So.....I have only just decorated for FAll and at the rate it took me to do that, I really should start putting Christmas out tomorrow and maybe will have it done by actual Christmas.

I am just a mess.......truly I am. I dont' even know where I will BE at Christmas!
Kentucky, North Carolina, Arkansas, Georgia?

I guess I could be working but my head is so fuzzy, I am afraid I would just make a mess that I would have to re-do.....

I really should just go to bed, huh? I would - but I hear boogies and tonight, they have been as wide awake as me......and cats are lousy watch dogs.

The Fierce Watch-Cat
Be afraid....very afraid

Revealed Blessings

The only survivor of a shipwreck washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly to be rescued, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements and to store his few possessions. But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with the smoke rolling up to the sky.

The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stung with grief and anger.

"God, how could you do this to me!" he cried and complained.

Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship's horn that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.

"How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers.

"We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

Just reminding you to never forget that many blessings come in disguises. Often they show up as uncomfortable or even dangerous and painful situations. And often only later, sometimes decades later, does the true purpose of something revealed. May you all be blessed with revealed blessings.

One small step for me.....

Woo Hoo!
Yay for me!

After publicly admitting my sloth yesterday, I got the ole rump in gear, gathered the courage to enter the "Belly of the Beast", a.k.a. the under-the-porch, full basement storage room....which is PACKED full! Of course, all of my fall decor was stored at the very back....where else would it be?!

Anyway, I moved out TOO many boxes of Christmas decor (you know, the last ones used so the first ones I could reach?)....I got out my autumn accents and started lugging them upstairs.

I cleaned off the front porch, placed all summer seasonal accents in plastic bags and boxes for storage in the little barn. I removed all spent flowers, took flower pots to the back, spruced up the plants still on display for now, and set out pretty lilac mums in the flower boxes. (TIP: When selecting mums, always pick lush green ones with the fewest blooms and most buds. That way, you will get to enjoy more blooms for a longer time period.)


I used the leaf blower (as best I could since it would not stay running and the feller is not here to work on it). I finally resorted to a regular broom which kills my back. But, I got all debris off the porch...funny how much collects considering it is a covered porch. I then cleaned the windows and sills and the front door with side panels. I even used a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on the door and it looks freshly painted! Those little eraser thingies are great!

I changed all the wicker cushions and pillows over from summer pinks to more fall-ish colors. Well, almost all of them. I never finished sewing as many as I need. (Today, I have washed the cushions in preparation for storage.)

Then, I started adding my fall decor. I love scarecrows and pumpkins and have used that as my main decor theme. I really don't do Halloween and haven't since my daughter was very young. I like pumpkins but am not crazy about the whole witch/jack o' lantern/ghosties stuff. It just feels too pagan to me.

Anyway, I am quite pleased with myself since I really need to work (ebay is a never ending, hungry monster!) but I never seem to just putter to make me happy. So, that is what I did although it was unseasonally warm for this time of year and I was stinking sweaty by the time I finished. I took a long, relaxing bath with some of Ms. Peggy's goat milk soap in my favorite scent, White Diamonds. (hiddenhavenhomestead....go visit her...buy Ms. Diva's soaps...they are divine!)

I had a good day, wore myself out, but am quite happy when I see my pretty fall porch. I took these pictures this morning since Feller wants me to send him some pics as soon as his internet is connected. He is slightly homesick......already.

Now, if I could only get the house done.....**sigh**

TA DA!!









I do love this fall wreath with the fruit and roses that I snagged at a yard sale for one measley dollar! Love. It! (I made all of the other flower arrangements.)

Poke me with a sharp stick.

Ok, I am going to admit it....just like at an AA meeting:

"Hello, I am Nancy. I am lazy."

There. Out of the closet. Exposed. Revealed.

I mean it....I swear I must be the laziest female ever.

I read all these wonderful blogs (what better way to be lazy than sitting on my big padded butt, staring at a computer screen?!)

I have good intentions, I really do. I want to get my house organized and cleaned, I want to put up all the beautiful holiday "stuff" I have collected over the years. I want to see the floor again!

But, I don't do it.

I read the blogs of amazing women who actually find TIME to write imaginative, informative, entertaining essays. They DO this all the while home schooling 15 kids, baking a week's worth of homemade bread, planting a 2 acre garden and canning all of their food, volunteering at the local food pantry, writing the great American novel, sewing all their own clothes for themselves and the 15 kids, making mad passionate love to their spouses and this is all before NOON!


I am lucky to comb my hair and dress myself before noon.....and sometimes I don't.

So, what is my problem? Why can't I get some of my tasks actually DONE?

I am not depressed. Been there, done that, know the difference.

I am just damn lazy!


I don't think I am alone...I think I am just one of the painfully honest gals who will claim it.

I make my lists, I have a mental picture of the end result, I have all the tools necessary to accomplish great things.....but my house looks like a tornado ripped through it and spit it all back out in a disgusting, mangled heap.

Of course,I currently have a good excuse (previous post regarding The Flood...)
But, what do I do after the impact of that one wears off?

I think I am just overwhelemd by my cottage industry which generates a lot of clutter and is compounded by the disruptions to my schedule from several uncontrollable episodes over the last few weeks.....ill health, household emergencies, death of my beloved dog.....ya' know?

So, I am going to try REALLY hard to make some progress. Starting today. I have NO valid excuse not to. I am here alone, I do not have any demands on my time from outside sources, my only child is busy at college, my only family lives 13 hours away from me, I have no real buddy-buddy friends here, my feller is in North Carolina on a new job and I am just putzing around this big ol' house, wasting time, being lazy and enjoying the hell outta' myself.

Okay, so now that I admitted it, I am asking that anyone who might read this, hold me accountable. ASK me what I have accomplished. Of course, I will probably lie and tell you I landscaped the yard, did all of my Christmas shopping, and built a sunroom today but we will know better......

Time for a nap....all this writing wore me out.

WFMW Laundry Room Dust Bunnies

I cannot stand the lint and "stuff" that collects in my laundry room so I keep a Dustbuster on my dryer. I use it to suck off all the lint left on the lint trap after I clean it and I run it over the top of the dryer to capture all the little lint bunnies that run around. It keeps my laundry area so much neater and easier to clean.

*TIP: ALWAYS clean your lint trap after a load dries to increase dryer efficiency and decrease the chance of fire from accumulated lint.

Okay, my link thingie is not playing right so , for more "works for me wednesday" tips and tricks, click the link to Shannon in the graphic above. *sigh*

Water, water, everywhere......

Imagine if you will, a ranch style home, typical four bedroom, 2 bath, LR/DR model, about 2000 sq. feet.

Now imagine if you will, a SECOND home the same size directly beneath it - den, guest suite, bathroom, utility/second kitchen, laundry room.

That is my home.....

Now, imagine the lower part - 1:00 a.m. in the morning - UNDER WATER! That was my night Tuesday night.

Jeez louise! We have always been secure in the knowledge that our lovely home is safely above flood level as we sit on a hill with no chance of flash flooding that is so common in these Kentucky hills. Little did we anticipate our own home would destroy our security and wreak havoc on our lives.

Blame one small 1" diameter rubber hose............

Amazing what a break in one of those will do!

I was in the kitchen, about to put take-out Chinese left overs away when I thought I heard the dishwasher running. But wait....I ran the dishwasher earlier in the day. However, the sound of rushing water was emitting from my sink area and to my horror, I realized that yes, my laundry room is directly beneath my kitchen! The Sweetie had installed a water alarm on the washing machine and we had not heard its ominous beep.

We raced downstairs and before I hit the last step, I knew we were in trouble.....it sounded like a water park downstairs. TROUBLE!

My heart did a leap in my chest as I saw at least 3 inches of water sloshing in the main hall and all but the den was swimming in H2O! (including the guest suite which has lovely Pergo wood floors and my Mother's heirloom bedroom suit!)

Soooooo.....I have spent the last 18 hours NON-STOP mopping up, using the 2 Wet Vacs that Sweetie rushed to Wal Mart in the middle of the night to purchase........and dealing with the misery and mess that accompanies a home flood. It s-u-c-k-s!!!

I have cried, ranted, raved, laughed hysterically, and just attacked the chore with a disjointed resolve to put it right. I am spent, exhausted, overwhelmed, and mad.....and so far behind in work, I will NEVER catch up! (wet bedding covers, rugs, stored clothing, computer equipment, books, games, carpet, recliner, holiday decor, etc., etc.!)

Sweetie leaves Saturday to begin his new job in North Carolina and I will be left here to deal with the final clean up and reorganization. I am just thankful if it were going to happen, at least it happened while he was still here to help me. He is about to be gone for at LEAST three weeks...... He feels badly but it is no one's fault. He tried to be preemptive with the alarm but we never expected that water would spray UP, instead of dripping DOWN from the connections, and short out the base unit before it could alert us. Hence, the washing machine was free to do its dastardly deed, unnoticed, unhindered, and for who knows how long?? (I rarely venture downstairs unless it is to do laundry or retreive something from the freezer in the utility/storage room. We live upstairs...)

So......how was YOUR day?

Bitch and Moan or Smile and Carry On?

I am a terrible blogger.

That is odd in that I truly love words and the process of writing. I have always felt at home with the written word and the prose that ambles through my brain endlessly.
But..........I am a busy woman. I DO read my favorite blogs daily. I enjoy reading what other fascinating, HONEST, REAL women are doing with their lives and homes. I just never seem to take time to issue my own thoughts.....

I do NOT read ebay blogs! ( <-- stated emphatically and with meaning!)
I have a job. It is called ebay, and I have a home that is called "ours". I have been trying to find a way to separate them as one would separate from a "leave the house" job. If I spend my time reading ebay blogs and "how-to's" and "how comes" and general "look at me and all of my wonderful, unique ideas and stuff and spend your hard earned money and time with ME"......PUH-lease! I have enough "stuff" to last me a life time (and I like MINE better than yours anyway!) and seeing what others are doing is really of no interest to me. I also do not spend time searching for ideas and formats and templates and such to copy as ONE I KNOW loves to do. So unoriginal!!! And annoying.

I know I sound a teeny bitchy and bitter but you would have to know all the behind the scenes crap and hurt to understand and I don't want to get into it. Let me just wrap a tidy bow around it and say I was VERY hurt and disappointed by an individual who basically lied to me and herself and lives in a pretend world where it is okay to use and discard people as easily as she does her ever changing home decor!

Shallow, selfish, self centered, self important, scheming, gossipy, two faced, immature, and transparent....this person I once called my friend. She is selfish with her family and husband as well so who was I fooling?

I am D-O-N-E!

End of THAT story and spending any more of my time or thoughts on someone who is truly not worth it. (insert huge sigh of release and relief here)

I admit to being a work-a-holic. I have always been this way. It stems from being raised on a farm where the luxury of being lazy for a day did not exist in our reality. It comes from having a Mother who did not possess a lazy bone in her body and expected me to be built the same. I am driven and it wears me down. I have found I am least productive when I am the most preoccupied and "busy". Weird in its own twisted way. One would think if you are busier, you would get more accomplished. Wrong. I just get more behind and feeling over whelmed. That is not good.....it is making me physically ill and I have to take better care of myself. I have pretty much been sick all summer with one thing or another. Not that anyone besides my J would know.......
I am trying to get better. I am over the sciatica (I hope!) and the resulting adrenal crisis created by the steroids. That shit is scary!! 'Scuse the language but I truly thought I was dying....for real. I could not even dial 911! and I was alone. I said my prayers and waited for "The Light"....FOR real. But, I am better and now I am dealing with the residual rapid, irregular heartbeat and occasional chest pain. I know, I KNOW! I need to haul my fat butt to a doctor but I LIVE with one! Ya' think maybe he knows how to tend to me? Well, maybe he does not always do what I think he should or could but he DOES take care of me.......I am just getting old and falling apart. I just have had too many different things to deal with...it all started in Boston when I had what we think was a gall bladder attack or panreatitis and it has been downhill from there.......all freakin' summer!

So, I am making a September Resolution. Who says you can only do this at New Year's?!
I resolve to work less, work more productively, worry less, laugh more, and just let what happens, happen. Plus, I want to get all that crap out of my living room and enjoy my pretty space again. I love my home and appreciate it even more now that I am going to be dividing my time between here and another house in another state. I do not even know what it will be or look like but it will be not HERE and I love my HERE. I love my house and my heirlooms and am not sure how to divide them and me. It will happen but the growing pains hurt.......
Looking for a new house will be trying and fun. Dividing up possessions will not be so I am thinking maybe we just furnish and decorate from there and leave here as it is. Yeah, I am thinking that is so much better! Since it is an afforadable issue, I think it is best.
Okay, I am rambling and feeling all "Mental-pausal" today so I am out. Blogs are to record and vent our thoughts and I did and I can now pat my foot, cross my arms, set my lips in a determined line and say, "There! I feel better and tough cookies if YOU don't!" :O)

Later Taters......and maybe I will be in a better mood! ;-)

p.s. I also miss my Patches. Life without my sweet baby girl dog is hard and different. I relied on her chocolate brown eyes to look at me with love and she was my soft spot to fall when the world was too hard. I love and miss her!!!

Baby Girl and WORK!

My Baby Girl is coming home tomorrow - for 6 days! 1000 yippees! I do miss that little nut case, drama queen. She is a rising senior at Emory University in Atlanta......yikes! Where have the last three years gone?!
We plan to hit all the best flea markets and tag sales while she is here.....she wants to add to her condo decor that I put in place for her in July and I need to add to my ever growing mountain of vintage inventory for ebay. I have NO WHERE to store what I have now but winter means slim pickings so I am buying tremendous amounts of treasures to share while I can.....come take a peek, ebay name is nancourt and I have a store with over 200 items right now! More to come....stay tuned!
Will try to get back in the habit of blogging, not just reading others' and working on ebay ALL the time.....I just seem to have NO ~me~ time! That is not a good thing!
Okay, gotta' run....must prepare for the daughter's arrival. I am on cloud nine!
Does everyone get so simple silly over their children? I have always been this way.....

Where do you blog?

I got this idea from Peggy at Hidden Haven who got it from Toni at simple sparrow....
where do you blog?
Well, I blog...or read them mostly....from the smallest room in this cavernous five bedroom home we have. My tiny little office is crammed full of my heart stuff...pictures of loved ones, art stuff, sewing machine, ebay inventory and assorted junk that goes along with a home based business, and fluff and stuff. I adore my window which looks out at my bird feeders and the woods behind the house where assorted squirrels and a herd of deer abide. I tend to spend much time gazing out at the world.. I have my little television handy right beside me, my assorted music cd's and DVD's, and lots of clutter and junk that I cannot live without. I love, love, love my desk that we found at a moving sale last year. We got this wonderful, HEAVY, L-shaped wooden desk for a song and you should have seen me and the BF hauling it up two flights of stairs to squeeze it into this teeny little room. (I think the original owners designed this room, off the master bedroom, to serve as a nursery which it most certainly won't be used for my me!).
Anyway, this is my little spot in the world where I spend most of my time visiting you in YOUR world. Cluttered and fussy but ALL mine!

Summer Dreamin'

I am weird.

Once Christmas is past, I am ready for spring and summer.

I am done.

Winter needs to be over.

Of course, the worst is yet to come. Today is wet, dreary, not too cold.....but depressing.
So, I reminded myself of what is just down the road from our house.....many happy, carefree hours have been spent here. We take one of the boats out, pack a scrummy picnic lunch, and just "play" or drift, swim, float, or ride the tube.

I need this motivation to ward of the seasonal affect disorder I seem to be having with ever-increasing severity as I get older. I adore "cozy" but I need light, and lots of it, to function as a human. Otherwise, I am a grumpy old bear......